The Brookhaven leader., 1887-02-03
An objectionable Pardon.

lenses against tue interests VI thS
State, abuses of official power so
nagrant and so damaging that it be-
comes a plain duty to enter a
public prostCst. 1t is the duty OF
the Governor TO so administer his
high Office as to protect the interests
of society and give force TO every
branch of government, SO that
authorities may be respected.
Numerous pardons, for which no
public reason could be assigned,
have been the subject of much com
ment by the press from time to
time. Men have shot down their
fellows and have been pardoned
without a trial. We have heard
complaints, not a few, that the
yiolators Of the liquor laws Of the
State have a ready helper in the
Governor. 1t is certain that par
dons have been issued TO men Of
this class to the great disgust OF
the best citizens of the country
But the pardon Of Thomas, whom
the Supreme Court on his own
statement characterized as an assas-
sin, will shock and grievc every
good citizen of the commonwealth.
The -Ne,c NiSStSSippiau thus speaks
Of the case:
In the spring of ISL, Chas. NJ. Murphy
was Mayor of Rolling Fork. During his
term of office, J. A. Thomas was tried
and convicted OH the charge of being
drunk and dsorderly, and sentenced
to fifteen days Imprisonment. The ac-
cuscd insolently detied the officers of the
law, aud prevented an execution of the
sentence. On this failure of the officers
to do their duty, Murphy resigned, but
Thomas, unsatisticd with tins victory
over law and order, is said to have
entered Murphy's business office, and
with drawn and brandished pistol heaped
curses and abuse upon his head
This difficulty, however, was after
wards adjusted in writing and Murphy
consistently lived up to the agreement.
On the night of Aug. 10th, 1SSl,
Murphy and Thomas attended social
entertainment given by the children
ut the Court House. The crowd had
assembled, aud dancing was about to
begin, when a pistol shot was heard on
the gallery, quickly followed by the
groans Of Il dying man. Investigations
showed that Thomas had killed Murphy
by shooting him III the back.
Thomas Immediately fled, bnt was
captured in Arkansas, and brought
back for trial. Such was the indigna
ton of the citizens, that they volun-
tarily subscribed large sum and
employed eminent counsel to aid the
District Attorney in Thomas prosecu
ton.
The accused summoned to his aid
five of the abl,st criminal lawyers of
every resource of eloquencc, ingenuity
and legal technicality to save their
client from the rope or penItcntiary. In
vain. A life sentence was passed upon
him. The case was appealed to the
Supreme Court and heard at the October
term, 1888.
Though there was error in the pro-
ceedngs below, it affirmed the juds
ment using the following language,
found on page IS of the 61so vol. of Miss.
reports:
"The defendant states that while
sitting at one end of the gallery he
suddenly perceived the deceased sitting
on the steps at the other end with his
back toward the building. AS soon as
he recognized the deceased, he drew his
pistol, placed it in the pocket of his
duster and advanced towards the de-
ceased until he was within few feet of
him. and then halting behind, and
little to the left of him, said: Now
| IN ready for you to shoot Deceased |
Instantly arose, throwing his hand be-
hind or to his side, and the defendant at
once fired. The bal struck deceased |
in the back two inches to the left of
the back bone. This is the defendants
Upon these facts the court added. |
"He who Stays another in duel, whether
formal, or suddenly inprovised, however
fairly conducted, is legally murderer;
but he who walks up behind an antago-
unaware of his presence, and invites
or challenges him to fight, and then
shoots him in the back before he can
turn or draw weapon is not duel
list--but an assassin. There
fore, taking the defendnts own testimony
an absolutely true, the verdict was cor
rect and the judgment is aft rmed."
notwithstanding the aggravated
character of the deed, and the further
fact that Thomas had only served about
three years, Gov. Lowry prostitnted
executive clemency, and pardoned him
on Saturday last.
Almost literally, week after week,
and month after month, Mississippians
have viewed with astouishment and
righteous Indignation, the pardon of
criminals, whom his Excellency has
sent abroad in the land, like Egyptian
pests-bnt tins fragrant and inexcusable
act crowns with great and shameful